Travel Luggage

I'll second the recommendations -- one of your most economical and most rugged options is Rick's Classic Back Door Bag -- at $60 it is a steal -- check' Lee's link for where to get it.

Mine is still going strong after 20+ countries, 40+ states, 14 years, over 2million flier miles, over 500 flights. I've restitched one spot on the outside pocket a couple of times where I overstuffed it and strained it -- but beyond that it is still solid.

Having seen the newer ones they appear to be the same as mine --

Adam,

Unfortunately, if you want "the absolute best of anything", that usually means a fairly steep price. Finding the best balance of price vs. quality is the trick.

The Tom Bihn Tri-Star would also be a good choice as would the Red Oxx Air Boss. However, the Air Boss tends to get a bit "heavy" when fully loaded, making it more a chore to haul around airports. It's usefulness for travels in Europe would be determined somewhat by how you packed it.

The luggage from ETBD (Back Door bag, etc.) are good quality, and from what I've seen they offer a good guarantee on their products. I had to replace a Civita bag not too long ago, and they exchanged it for a new one without question.

You might also have a look at the Eagle Creek line of luggage. They have a good selection of both wheeled luggage as well as Backpacks and accessories such as Packing Cubes.

Happy travels!

I own both RS bags (Convertible and Back Door Bag), The Tom Bihn Tri-Star and the Outdoor Products Esssentical Carry-On (OPEC) you saw at Campmor.

Quality wise, the Tom Bihn bag beats them all. But, it's $250.

I have the old Back door Bag (18 years old) and the new Convertible which replaced it. The quality of the newer bag is not as good as the older one but still a good bag. The newer Back Door Bag does not have an attachment for a shoulder strap if you were thinking of using it--just handles and backpack straps.)

The OPEC bag is also good but you'll need to to use cubes or a folder to give it some shape.

There are some other bags to look at:Ebags Weekender.
L.L. Bean Quickload Travel Pack

Congrats on your first anniversary. My husband and I just got the RS Convertible bags to take on our 25th anniversary trip to Italy next September. The quality seems good, but we have not used them yet. I plan to take mine on a trial run to NYC next month. The convertible bag can be carried on your back, or you can use a shoulder strap or the handle.

I usually use a Travel Pro 22" wheeled bag. It is very good quality and I have used it a lot. It is heavier than the RS bag and I have concerns about carrying something that heavy around Italy, even with packing light.

I would suggest finding a travel store to go in and compare bags. Many travel stores carry RS products.

Last year I bought a rick steves convertable backpack (the one without the wheels) and it is the best luggage I have ever owned. I use it exclusively as a backpack. It has a ton of space and is very durable. I'm sure there is a luggage store somewhere near where you live that sells the rick steves bags so you can actually go check them out. I have a luggage store in Portland that sells them. We were looking at REI bags first and I'm glad I checked out the Rick Steves bags at the luggage store, they are great.

I have a contrary view. If you want to make ten, listen to your wife. She may be smart than you are. What is the Red Oxx going to do for you that Campmor will not? Nothing -- you want something to hold clothes. Unless, of course, you just want people to admire you expensive bag at the luggage rack. Bag get lost, damage, stolen, dirty, etc. so I am not interested in having an expensive bag that can get lost, stolen, damaged, etc. We have two of the old style Rick Steves and our rolling bags were $50 specials from TJ Max. They function very well and says little about our financial status.

I would also recommend Rick's Convertible Carry-On (which is on sale for $75 through the end of March). I have it, the Campmor bag you are looking at, a duffel bag, and a couple of rolling bags (one of which can also be used as a backpack) as luggage that I use, and the Convertible Carry-On is definitely my favorite. It has a decent, sturdy body (where the Campmor does not), is lightweight (where the rolling bags are not), is perfectly designed to be used as a carry-on (where the duffel cannot), and can surprisingly hold a lot more than you'd expect. I've used it for over a year's worth of actual travel time through 12 countries and even for traveling locally around the States on top of that, and it has been holding up to look nearly as good as when I first got it about 4 years ago. I have seen but haven't purchased the other bags you were looking at (the Tom Bihn and the Red Oxx) mainly because they seem a little pricey, plus the Convertible Carry-On has been doing its job fine, so I haven't had a need for them.

Hope this helps!

Enjoy your travels! Italy is lots of fun!

Go for the on sale bag for 75$ Convertable = its the best. If you are concerned about the newer style - check on EBAY for new older ones. I have the new one as well as the older model but havent used it eyt (since the old one is still so good!). The Redoxx looks great but its also a lot heavier. Pack light and any bag will be fine if its not overstuffed! (keep it under 8kg - 17lbs)

I bought the Rick Steves Autobahn roller/backpack for my trip to Italy this summer. I experimented with it for a trip along the Oregon Coast last summer and 10 days in Hawaii last month and it was great! I like the convenience of wheels but want the ability to carry it on my back up all those stairs in Vernazza and other hills etc we will encounter in Italy.